Lidia Bastianich Chicken Cutlets Recipes

CHICKEN CUTLET SANDWICH

Steps:

• Cook the prosciutto and sage: Prepare a baking sheet fitted with a kitchen towel. In a large skillet, heat about 1/2 cup of the oil over low heat. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the prosciutto slices to the oil in the pan and cook until crispy, 1 to 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to remove them. Place them on the kitchen towel to drain. Next, add the sage leaves and cook until they pale in color and become crispy, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove and season them with salt. Set aside.
• Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and red wine vinegar.
• Prepare the chicken cutlets: Prepare another baking sheet fitted with parchment paper. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken cutlets with the oregano and salt. Put the eggs in one bowl and the breadcrumbs in another. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg (on both sides) and then the breadcrumbs. Shake any excess off each one.
• Cook the chicken cutlets: Add the remaining oil to the pan used to fry the prosciutto and heat it until it smokes lightly. Use a pair of tongs to carefully add a couple of the chicken cutlets to the oil in a single layer. Cook over medium heat on the first side until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn on their second side and cook 3 to 5 additional minutes. Cut a small incision in the middle of each cutlet to make sure they are completely cooked. If any are underdone, place in a warm oven to cook for a few additional minutes. Repeat the process with the remaining cutlets.
• Assemble the sandwiches: Spoon a generous helping of the mayonnaise mixture on the bottom half of the roll. Top with a mound of lettuce. Top with the chicken cutlets, some Parmesan, sage leaves and prosciutto slices. Drizzle with additional mayonnaise if desired. Top with the other half of the roll.

CHICKEN CUTLET

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper. In another bowl, combine cheese and buttermilk. Place bread crumbs in a third shallow bowl., Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness. Coat chicken with flour mixture; dip in buttermilk, then coat with crumbs. In a skillet over medium heat, cook chicken in oil for 5-7 minutes on each side or no longer pink.

LIDIA'S SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Pass the tomatoes and their liquid through a food mill fitted with the fine disc.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a 4- to 5-quart pot over medium high heat. Stir in the onion and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 4 minutes.
• Pour in the tomatoes, crushed red pepper and bay leaves, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then lower the heat so the sauce is at a lively simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, crumble the pork and beef into a mixing bowl.
• Sprinkle the bread crumbs, 1/3 cup grated cheese, the parsley, and garlic over the meat.
• Beat the egg with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl until blended. Pour over the meat mixture. Mix the ingredients with clean hands just until evenly blended. Don't overmix.
• Shape the meat mixture into 1-1/2 inch balls.
• Dredge the meatballs in the flour until lightly but evenly coated.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil and the vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
• Slip as many meatballs into the skillet as will fit without crowding. Fry, turning as necessary, until golden brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Adjust the heat as the meatballs cook to prevent them from overbrowning.
• Remove the meatballs, and repeat if necessary with the remaining meatballs.
• Add the browned meatballs to the tomato sauce and cook, stirring gently with a wooden spoon, until no trace of pink remains at the center of the meatballs, about 30 minutes.
• Stir the spaghetti into the boiling water. Return to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook the pasta, semi-covered, stirring occasionally, until done, about 8 minutes.
• Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Spoon in about 2 cups of the tomato sauce, tossing well until the pasta is coated with sauce.
• Remove from the heat and toss in 2/3 cup grated cheese. Check the seasoning, and add salt and pepper if necessary.
• Serve the pasta in warm bowls or piled high on a large warm platter.
• Spoon a little more of the sauce over the pasta, and pass the remaining sauce separately. Pass the meatballs family-style in a bowl, or top the bowls or platter of spaghetti with them.

CRISPY CHICKEN CUTLETS

Steps:

• Freeze chicken breasts about 20 minutes or so.
• Cut chicken breasts in half horizontally and pound to ¼" thickness.
• Combine panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and garlic powder in a small shallow dish.
• Whisk egg in a separate bowl. Dip chicken in egg and then in the crumb mixture pressing to adhere.
• Preheat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Gently add chicken and cook 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and chicken reaches 165°F.